19. Saint Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata

Details

Veneto-Cretan, 16th century
45.2 x 38.5 cms

Provenance:
Morsink Icon Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Private collection, Switzerland.

Literature:
Catalogue Tóth Ikonen 50 Years, Tóth Ikonen, Huizen, The Netherlands, 2024, p. 12 – 13, ill. p 13.

Description:
St Francis of Assisi, one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic Church, was founder of the Order of Friars Minor or Franciscans. Born into a wealthy family, St Francis abandoned a life of luxury and devoted himself to Christianity, to follow and imitate Jesus in poverty, humility and in suffering.

This 16th century Veneto-Cretan icon shows St Francis receiving the stigmata. He is dressed in a brown habit. Its girdle has three knots symbolising the religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. He is kneeling on one knee in a rocky landscape on Mount La Verna, whither he retreated in 1224 to pray and fast for forty days. Whilst there, he beheld a miraculous vision. He was praying when suddenly he saw a man like a seraph with six wings, his arms outstretched like Christ crucified. The fiery Christ-seraph is shown transmitting the stigmata to Francis by five red rays. The stigmata, the marks of the wounds of Christ, appear on Francis’ body, on his hands, feet and side. Friar Leo, his companion, sits on the right side, witnessing the mystical event. After the vision, the marks of the wounds remained visible.

In addition to his feast on October 4th, a second feast day is observed on September 17th, commemorating the receiving of the stigmata.